Genuine camaraderie was a prerequisite for Polański to open up in front of the camera. In Bouzereau’s feature, life and art are entangled in a jungle of cross-references as Polański lays himself bare without self-indulgence.

[This doc] consists of the director's honest, contrite but always moving and thoughtful analysis of how fate channels the best and worst sides of our nature.

Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir is a rare opportunity to hear a master filmmaker speak about his life. Both his haters and fans will agree, it is a highly watchable documentary. But don't expect either group to feel they have heard the whole story.

Polanski sure knows how to spin a yarn, whether it's with words or film.